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TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Alabama Crimson Tide has concluded a highly successful Early Signing Period, with all 20 expected student-athletes signing their National Letters of Intent. Head coach Kalen DeBoer is on track to deliver his second consecutive Top-Five Recruiting Class, a clear signal that the narrative questioning his ability to recruit at an elite level was, in fact, “nonsense.”
This class is deep, talented, and versatile, featuring a mix of high-end five-stars and high-upside developmental prospects. Given the DeBoer coaching staff’s history of playing talented Freshmen early, several of these signees are poised to carve out immediate roles. We break down the four most likely instant contributors who will be making plays at Bryant-Denny Stadium next fall.
1. EJ Crowell, Five-Star Running Back 🌟
Headlining the class is five-star running back EJ Crowell, whom Coach DeBoer specifically mentioned during his signing day press conference as a player expected to contribute immediately. Crowell, who was described by DeBoer as a player who “makes plays,” provides the Crimson Tide with an elite, game-changing talent at a position that has recently lacked a true difference-maker.
With Jam Miller and Dre Washington exhausting their eligibility, and questions surrounding the future of other returning backs, the path for Crowell to earn significant carries is wide open. His combination of speed, power, and vision makes him the perfect fit for DeBoer’s offensive system. Crowell has the tools to be a true SEC football star from day one.
2. Bryson Cooley, Four-Star Offensive Tackle
In a key victory on the recruiting trail, Alabama successfully flipped four-star offensive lineman Bryson Cooley from LSU. Cooley, a massive 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle, provides much-needed size and athleticism on the offensive line—a critical position for protecting the quarterback and enabling the rushing attack.
Alabama’s ability to develop offensive line talent is renowned, and Cooley’s commitment is a major coup for offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic. The fact that the staff pursued him relentlessly, culminating in a flip, indicates they see him as an immediate-impact player. With competition for starting jobs on the line, Cooley’s size and readiness could see him contributing heavily, possibly in a rotation or even challenging for a starting tackle spot right away.
3. Ivan Taylor, Four-Star Safety
On the defensive side, four-star safety Ivan Taylor is a strong candidate for early playing time. With the departure of key veterans and the high demand for versatile defensive back play in the modern Southeastern Conference (SEC), Taylor’s instincts and ball-hawking ability will be valuable.
The Alabama secondary under defensive coordinator Kane Wommack requires smart, athletic players who can cover ground and tackle in space. Taylor fits this profile perfectly. As the staff looks to reload and maintain the standard of Alabama Defense, Taylor’s talent makes him an ideal candidate to push for a spot in the defensive back rotation.
4. Jared Doughty, Four-Star Offensive Tackle
Joining Cooley in the offensive line haul is fellow four-star Jared Doughty. The sheer physicality and talent level of both Doughty and Cooley provide a clear indication that the staff is prioritizing an upgrade in the trenches.
Doughty’s high ceiling and aggressive style of play will allow him to immediately compete for a role. The willingness of this staff to play freshmen on the offensive line, as seen in previous seasons, means Doughty will get a genuine shot to prove he is one of the best five linemen on the roster.